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July 16, 2012

Brazil's March for Jesus Draws One Million Yet Concerns Theologians

Annual march continues to grow as Brazilian evangelicals wrestle with quantity vs. quality.

Jasmine Young

More than 1 million Brazilian evangelicals marched through the streets of São Paulo on Saturday in the annual “March for Jesus,” according to the Associated Press.

The size of the march, organized by Renascer (“Reborn in Christ”) Church for the past 20 years, underscores how Brazil has the largest Christian population outside of the United States, as well as how Brazil's evangelicals are fast gaining ground on its Roman Catholics.

However, some evangelical leaders boycott the march because of its controversial sponsor and its message.

Wellington Oliveira, president of the Brazilian chapter of YWAM (Youth With A Mission), helped launch the first March for Jesus in the United Kingdom in 1987. He joined other leaders in offering CT his assessment of how the worldwide march has changed its tone in Brazil under Renascer pastor Estevam Hernandes.

The increasing number of participants worldwide in the March for Jesus has raised questions about whether it would lead to world revival.

posted by Jeremy Weber | Comments (2)

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It's odd that this article does not detail the reasons for some boycotting March for Jesus or the controversial message (If any) that it may have.

Years ago I attended a March for Jesus in my city back in the 1990s and I will have to admit that it was dominated by Pentecostals and Charismatics. So I wonder if the Word of Faith message dominates the participants.

Posted By: Basil | July 17, 2012 10:55 AM

If you look at videos or pics of this March, it is so sad. Street commerce dominates. People shouting neopentecostal slurs ("Blessings unto us! Anointing! Anointing!"), proclaiming victory over the devil, disease and poverty. Bandannas and bracelets with the name of megachurch leaders and christian music artists, many of whom live extremely lavish lifestyles, and some even under investigation for crimes. Loud music, litter everywhere - hardly any difference from any other kind of 'pride' march. In the midst of all that, a few traditional (mainly baptist) Christians were holding banners denouncing the love of money and terrible theology. ("Christianity is not a $how" or "Evangelicals need reformation"). Even though it was a silent protest, they were harassed, yelled at and even physically attacked by March participants. What kind of Gospel is that? Evangelicalism is indeed growing here in Brazil, but that is a total misnomer. These people are not following the Gospel of the Bible.

Posted By: Lucas | July 18, 2012 5:40 AM

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